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History

See the timeline below showing how we have developed over the years.

2017

Bishopbridge House extended

Public generosity following a fundraising campaign enabled the building of an emergency extension to the hostel. An extra ten beds were made available to deal with the huge rise in the number of rough sleepers in Norwich.

2015

Webster Court officially opens

Located in Lakenham, Webster Court provides semi-independent living for older people who have experienced or are facing homelessness. The building comprises 33 apartments each with their own bathroom and kitchen. Staff provide care and support according to the needs of each resident, which might include dementia and mobility problems. The building is named after St Martins founder, the late Alan Webster and was opened on June 23rd 2015.

2010

Under 1 Roof opens

Making use of a redundant building next door to Highwater House, St Martins, in partnership with NHS Norfolk, created a fit for purpose resource centre. The ground floor is home to City Reach, a team of health professionals providing primary health care services to homeless people and other vulnerable adults. On the first floor St Martins provides people – past and present service users - with access to informal learning and work opportunities.

2008

St Martins House becomes Highwater House

On 8 May 2008 Highwater House officially opened. Highwater House is the only residential resource in Norfolk dedicated to meeting the needs of people who have experienced homelessness as well as mental health issues and substance abuse. Nominations into placements at the home are made from across the county by health and social care professionals.

2007

Work starts on St Martins House conversion

By 2007 St Martins House was no longer adhering to minimum space standards for residents, so work started on converting the building into a registered care home with adequate facilities for the people living there. A deal was struck with Norwich City Council to buy the part of the site next to the existing St Martins House, required for the 22 bed home.

2002

Purpose-built direct access hostel built

In April 2002 the Night Shelter was replaced by Bishopbridge House, a new purpose-built direct access hostel on Gas Hill, off Riverside Road in Norwich. It was opened by Prince Edward on June 27th.

1990

St Martins House opened

St Martins started to respond to and address the complex needs of homeless people. It became clear that some individuals who came to the Night Shelter needed supported care. St Martins House on Westwick Street opened in 1990 as a 33 bed (single and double rooms) for people with mental health problems.

1976

Night Shelter relocated to St Martin at Oak

Despite very basic amenities, the Night Shelter was in ever increasing demand, and within a few years new premises were needed to cope with the swelling number of users. In 1976, the Shelter relocated to St Martin at Oak, a redundant church on Oak Street.

1972

St Martins founded

In 1970 Alan Webster was Dean of Norwich Cathedral. A meeting gathered in his office to hear Revd Colin Slee’s report “Bedlessness.” Within a week the Dean’s own garage was available as emergency accommodation for those sleeping rough. Within a year the first Night Shelter opened in the redundant church of St James (now the Norwich Puppet Theatre) in Barrack Street, staffed by volunteers. This became an 18 bed night shelter offering basic accommodation for people sleeping rough in Norwich.